LUVTruck.com

Hey all!
I am on "vacation" for the holidays and the serpentine belt on the 94 ford Taurus I am driving blew apart (it was old and ratty). The air conditioner compressor bearings are shot (the pulley wobbles). I think that contributed to the belt breaking. I bought a rebuilt compressor that I am about to install. The air conditioner hadn't worked before and I don't need it to work now (I don't care that the defogger wont work either). I just need the pulley on it to be in place and spinning freely so that the serpentine belt with function properly. In other words, the compressor will just be an idle pulley.

Here is my question: If I install the new compressor but leave the electric lines to it unplugged, and I don't have the freon/lubricant replaced (The system would be empty), will that fry the compressor? In other words, does the system need to have the freon/oil/lubricant flowing through it if I just want the pulley to spin? Thanks!

It will run as an idler pully forever with no damage to the compressor. However if you ever expect to use it as A compressor again, you need to cover the two hose fittings good to keep dirt etc. out. Johnp

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Diesels, 86 Isuzu 4x4, 2 87 Long bed 2 wd, 85 2 wd turbo-d long bed, 84 l bed [utility], 85 2 wd long bed, 1 86 swb 2.3 gasser

Thanks johnp! I was thinking it would be OK, but I wasn't sure. So am I thinking correctly that the pulley will be turning, but the compresser won't be engaged (because the electric connection will be off?), and therefore it won't be cycling the air in the system? Am I correct in thinking that I shouldn't be using the defogger as well (will it even work with the compressor electric connection off?) The vent and heater is unrelated, right? I can still use this? Thanks a lot!!!! I am inspired and hopeful

PS, yeah, I will cover the openings too, likely just hook the system back together again. Rock on !

That's what I hate about serpentine belts. That happened to me last Christmas eve on my F 250. It cost me a night in two motel rooms, (4 kids), a rental car and a whole bunch of $ at a dealer in Roseville. All because of an A/C compressor in the WINTER!!!!!!

In my old Suburban, I would have cut that belt and kept on going.

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OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

Your defogger will work just fine without the compressor pluged in. The compressor cycles on the defogger side only so your compressor seal don't dry out and lose freon.There is more to it but this is the simple version.

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1978 pro street step/side 455Buick, 4sp,4.11s, 31/18.5s

thanks you all!
I have her back together and she is running! I drained the freon when I switched compressors, and it is still empty. I just found out that you can still buy the freon in a can to refill the system. I bought a big can of that and a big can of the pressurized oil/lubricant for the air conditioner system too. Here is my question now:

The compressor directions say that I need to run a vacuum on the system for 45 minutes to void it of air and moisture (I don't have a vacuum). Then it can be filled. Is this necessary, or can I just fill it up with the lube then freon???

Thanks!

tjwhite, so it is OK to run the defogger even with no freon or lube in the system?

The vacuum does two things, 1 it pulls out the unwanted air and moisture and 2 you leave a vacuum on the system and see if it drops, if it does you will leak freon. You can run the defroster all you want, the A/C system has a low pressure switch that will not let the clutch kick on if the freon is low or out. You might as well hook up the electrical, with the switch in place it will not turn on.

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Certified pilots, looking down on people since 1903.

thanks Luvrv8!
Now I just need to find a shop to vacuum the system out (or borrow a vacuum pump)! Rock on!

Dottie